NEW Ride: Friday, Nov. 18, Estero Critical Mass ride. Meet at
7:00 p.m. and roll at 7:30. Parking lot of Our Lady of Light Catholic
Church at 19680 Cypress View Dr, Estero, FL 33967. We will use the
parking lot between the church and the road. Lights required, helmets
recommended. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL/events/235009679/)

Ongoing: Join the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club on one of their
many weekly rides for members and potential members, with an array
of paces and routes to choose from. Check them out online at www.caloosariders.org.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

If that first taste of cooler temperatures has inspired you to dust off the running shoes or bicycle, good! The rest of us heat-crazed riders and runners who’ve been sweating it out over the endless summer welcome the company.

But before you hit the road, there are a couple of things you should do.

First, check out your equipment to ensure it’s up to the task and won’t leave you stranded or sore.

For cyclists, that means looking over your bike. If you’re nominally handy, you can probably deal with most of the things you need to be road-ready. If not, or if you’d rather someone with skills tackle the task, get you and your bike over to your friendly neighborhood bike shop (a good place to have a friend and a great place to see what’s new).

What should you check, at the very least?

Tire pressure: Pump them up to the PSI recommended. Too soft is a good way to have a flat (is the tube gets pinched), too hard will rattle your teeth (and other body parts) unnecessarily.

Tire condition: If the tread is thin or the rubber looks brittle, replace them before they strand you. Do the tubes at the same time. If the rubber looks OK, then check for cuts or debris that needs to be removed.

Brakes… the levers, the cables and the pads: Stopping is often the most part of cycling, so be sure everything involved in that process is up to par.

Drivetrain: Take the time to clean and lube your chain, and see if it’s too loose (can jump the cassette) or worn (prone to breakage). Look at the gears as well, to see that the teeth are not worn down or chewed up.

Road kit: (You have a road kit, right? Or are you feeling lucky?) Whatever you need for a ride – which can be as simple as a few bucks for emergencies and as complicated as a spare tube, tire levers, hex wrenches and CO2 cartridges – made sure everything is fresh and in its place. And if you don’t bring stuff like this along for the ride, might be time to reconsider.

Of course, there’s also the ultimate gear check: Is this the bike you want to ride, or is it time for a change or upgrade? That may depend on your riding plans – you don’t want a road bike on the trails or a mountain bike for a century ride – or your cycling desires to ride faster, longer or more often.

Runners and walkers, you have a far simpler equipment task – because you use far less stuff. First and foremost, check your shoes – first, to ensure you’re wearing the right type for your activity, then to be sure they’re in good shape to protect your feet and joints as well as make the walk or run more fun.
Then, look at the rest of your outfit – which can be simpler because the heat and rain is taking a break, but can also be more complicated once serious cold fronts start making it this far south. That means jackets and hats, and perhaps something more substantial than shorts. Also be sure to be seen… bright colors make you stand out, and lights make running or walking at dusk or dark much safer (Daylight Savings Time is lurking just around the corner).

Lights are a good idea for cyclists, too, since you might get caught in the gloom by mistake. And cyclists should review their road attire as well, replacing what is worn if necessary or trying something new (another good reason to visit your bike shop).

Finally, make sure you’re ready for the road or ride. If you’ve been regularly exercising, good for you. Just make sure the muscles you need for riding or running are ready, and ease into it to keep the soreness down and be sure to warm up and cool down appropriately (stretching can help ease the re-entry process, too).

If you haven’t been moving much over the summer, take an honest look at your physical condition and start accordingly. That may even mean a visit to the doctor to ensure you’re healthy enough for exercise, but it certainly means starting slow and working your way into (or back into) shape. Cross-training can be a great way to keep moving without soreness, just pick activities that alternate muscle use rather than doubling down on it.

While you’re at it, do a quick run-through on the rules of the road: Bike with traffic, walk facing it, yield to pedestrians at all times, warn when passing, be clear on the signals and warning when riding in a group, see and be seen, etc.

We live in a great place to walk, run or ride, so take advantage of that. By doing it right, you might end up doing it longer and better over time.

Cape wins path grant

Congratulations to the city of Cape Coral for winning a $1.8 million grant from Florida DOT’s new Shared Use Non-motorized (SUN) Trail Program, for the initial engineering and design of a multi-use trail along Kismet Parkway in the northern part of the city. The 12-foot-wide path will eventually connect Del Prado Blvd. and Burnt Store Road about 7 miles in all), adding a valuable east-west corridor for cyclists, runners and walkers.

Of course, the very active Cape Coral Bike-Ped group was instrumental in winning the grant, another significant step in its efforts to create a citywide bike/ped system that will be a boon for the Cape for years to come.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RIDE:

Have a favorite route you like to bike, or a unique walk you’d like to share with others? Tell us about it at info@bikewalklee.org, and maybe we can feature it in an upcoming column.

Ready to ride or run?

Run? Halloween has become synonymous with organized runs (burns off the candy, we trust), with a plethora locally from which to choose. On Saturday, Oct. 29, you have the “Soup”-er Hero 5K Run/Walk at Gulf Coast Town Center (benefits Community Cooperative, www.communitycooperative.com); the 5th annual LCEC Goblin Gallop 5K run/walk at Jim Jeffers Park, Cape Coral (3dracing.com); and the Monster Dash Halloween 5K at Fleischmann Park in Naples (gcrunner.org). All three start at 7: 30 a.m. If you need more (or just more distance), try the Rocktoberfest 10 Miler & 2x5 Mile Relay, on Sunday, Oct. 30 at North Collier Regional Park (eliteevents.org).

Ride? Critical Mass rides are back: Friday, Oct. 28, is the Cape Coral ride (gather at 7:30 p.m. at 4706 SE 11th Place for a family-friendly ride through the Cape). Saturday, Oct. 29, is the starter/sightseeing ride (gather at 9 a.m., roll at 9:15 a.m. from 2160 McGregor Blvd. Distance is 6 miles, includes group ride instruction). The following Friday (Nov. 4) is the original, a family-friendly slow ride through Fort Myers

# # #

Ken Gooderham writes this on behalf of BikeWalkLee, a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County - streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Information, statistics and background online at www.BikeWalkLee.org.

Friday, Oct 28: Cape Coral Critical Mass ride. Gathers at 7:30 p.m. at the Farmer's Market Parking Lot, 4706 SE 11th Place, Cape Coral. Come out and join this fun and growing group of bikers! This is an 11 mile ride that rolls as a group at a very relaxed speed of 8-10 mph with a 10 minute break half way through at the Cape Coral Yacht Club. Lights required, helmets recommended. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL/events/qbmrtlyvnblc/)

Saturday, Oct. 29: SWFL Critical Mass monthly Saturday Morning Slow Roll & training. Join us for a casual 8-10 mph roll on the last Saturday of every month. This is a perfect way to learn how to group ride, have a good time and to make new friends. A very family friendly ride. The ride is 6 miles long in total. Grab your bike and helmet, come and ride! Meet up 9 a.m., roll 9:15. Side lot next to the downtown Publix, 2160 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL/events/234076487/)

NEW Ride: Friday, Nov. 18, Estero Critical Mass ride. Meet at 7:00 p.m. and roll at 7:30. Parking lot of Our Lady of Light Catholic Church at 19680 Cypress View Dr, Estero, FL 33967. We will use the parking lot between the church and the road. Lights required, helmets recommended.

Ongoing: Join the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club on one of their many weekly rides for members and potential members, with an array of paces and routes to choose from. Check them out online at www.caloosariders.org.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

For as much progress as our area has seen in terms of bicycle and pedestrian improvements, serious and major shortcomings remain. Most egregious is the complete lack of pedestrian access between Fort Myers and Cape Coral and between the mainland and Sanibel Island. As well, many of our urbanized and built-out areas and corresponding roads that are west of (and include) U.S. 41 are lacking in adequate bicycle accommodation. Colonial Boulevard, College Parkway, Cypress Lake Drive and Cleveland Avenue north of Daniels Parkway are chief among them, having nothing more than 5-foot or 6-foot sidewalks and no bike lanes. There’s little option but to use these major thoroughfares and when traversing them, as a pedestrian or cyclist, none offer adequate or safe accommodation.

Here’s one way to look at this inequity: For pedestrians to cross the Caloosahatchee River, only one of the four bridges spanning the river between downtown Fort Myers and College Parkway have a sidewalk, meaning anyone who wants to legally cross the river by foot must use the one span of the Edison Bridge that has a 5-foot sidewalk. So, to go from McGregor Boulevard at College Parkway on the Fort Myers side to Cape Coral Parkway on the west side, the difference in distance if the Cape Coral Bridge had a sidewalk is two miles versus the 20-mile trek required by using McGregor, Edison Bridge, Pondella/Hancock and Del Prado. For those wanting to do so from the Fort Myers side to Cape Coral from the base of the Midpoint Bridge, the difference is four miles versus 14 miles.

The Edison Bridge is the only bridge from Fort Myers
to Cape Coral/North Fort Myers that allows pedestrians.
DAN MOSER/FLORIDA WEEKLY

Cyclists fare little better crossing the river. Although some have motor vehicle breakdown lanes, none of the approaches to, or exits from bridges accommodate that use. Worse yet, to go from Fort Myers to Cape Coral there’s no shoulder on westbound Cape Coral Bridge so it’s not really an option, considering the traffic conditions most times of the day. The Caloosahatchee River Bridge (“New 41”) has no shoulders in either direction and FDOT indicates both bikes and pedestrians are prohibited, although I believe the bike prohibition is unenforceable since the bridge doesn’t meet the “limited access” standard required to keep bikes and low-speed vehicles off. However, regardless of legal issues, using that structure is an adventure very few cyclists would even consider.

Regular readers of this column may find this topic to be little more than me once again beating my head against the wall. Indeed, it’s pretty sad that I have to repeat this drumbeat over and over but I consider it necessary lest things remain the same indefinitely. Even with these transportation inequities being documented there’s absolutely nothing being considered to remedy any of the aforementioned problems. The reason given, of course, is cost, but to me it’s really a matter of priority — plenty of funds are spent on motor vehicle accommodation that are not even necessary (Alico Road improvement east of I-75 is one current glaring example). Other than the fact that all bridges eventually need to be replaced, the river will remain a barrier for the foreseeable future. Retro-fitting them with cantilever sidepaths or reallocating existing space to include accommodations are not options, according to those who dole out funds. The same goes for surface roads that have similar issues; right of way can be reconfigured to add bike lanes or at least widen sidewalks into multi-use paths, but that’s not something our car-centric funders are interested in spending money to do.

On any given day you’ll find many walkers and runners on the southbound span of the Edison Bridge — the only one where pedestrians are allowed. Most are there for exercise but some are using the sidewalk to get from one place to another. The exercise and recreation use is just as valid as the transportation function if you put in perspective that many motor vehicle trips are not for critical purposes but are taken for other reasons. The Sanibel Causeway is the most outrageous example of this disparity in access. A conscious and discriminatory decision to deny pedestrian use was made by Lee County when replacing the bridges less than a decade ago. If you think things need to change you’ll have to get involved in one way or another. One place to start is by going to BikeWalkLee’s blog to see how you can take action. Contacting Lee County commissioners is another first step to consider. Fixing these serious problems may not happen in many of our lifetimes but our area’s young people shouldn’t be denied the access we all deserve. ¦

- Dan Moser is a long-time bicycle/pedestrian advocate and traffic safety professional who cycles, runs and walks regularly for transportation, recreation and fitness. Contact him at bikepedmoser@gmail.com and 334- 6417.

Friday, Oct 28: Cape Coral Critical Mass ride. Gathers at 7:30 p.m. at the Farmer's Market Parking Lot, 4706 SE 11th Place, Cape Coral. Come out and join this fun and growing group of bikers! This is an 11 mile ride that rolls as a group at a very relaxed speed of 8-10 mph with a 10 minute break half way through at the Cape Coral Yacht Club. Lights required, helmets recommended. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL/events/qbmrtlyvnblc/)

Saturday, Oct. 29: SWFL Critical Mass monthly Saturday Morning Slow Roll & training. Join us for a casual 8-10 mph roll on the last Saturday of every month. This is a perfect way to learn how to group ride, have a good time and to make new friends. A very family friendly ride. The ride is 6 miles long in total. Grab your bike and helmet, come and ride! Meet up 9 a.m., roll 9:15. Side lot next to the downtown Publix, 2160 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL/events/234076487/)

Ongoing: Join the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club on one of their many weekly rides for members and potential members, with an array of paces and routes to choose from. Check them out online at www.caloosariders.org.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Love to bike? Love your brain? Then grab a helmet every time you head out for a ride.

Simply put, it’s the best thing you can do to help make your biking safe. Even the venerable “Consumer Reports” says so… right along with where they say when it comes to sports-related head injuries seen in emergency rooms, there are more caused by bicycling than even from football.

The magazine also cites studies that found you can cut your risk of severe injury by 58% if you wear a helmet while biking, or that 60% of those who died in 2014 from bike accidents were not wearing a helmet.

And it’s not just wearing a helmet, but wearing it properly (which is also covered in this article). That means having forward on your head, tight enough to stay in place and strapped right to stay balanced. (Most bike shops are happy to both sell you a helmet and fit it for you as well, since repeat business is improved if you can keep your customers alive and healthy.)

This being ‘Consumer Reports’, they also rate the safest choices or best buys – but money doesn’t necessarily buy you better protection. Almost any helmet will improve your safety, although you may want to check the date inside the helmet; one rule of thumb has been that a helmet more than five years old loses some of its protective capacity. (And if you can’t read the date on the label, that’s probably a good sign the helmet has a number of years and miles on it.)

You don’t have to wear a bike helmet in Florida… unless you’re under age 16, when it is required by state law. A helmet may also be required to participate in organized rides or races, where the organizers want to protect you (and themselves) from potential injuries or are required to mandate helmets as part of their sanctioning or insurance.

Otherwise, it’s your choice to wear a helmet while biking. Many people don’t, for a variety of reasons (most of them not very good ones). Helmets are lighter and better ventilated than any hat, and come in enough styles and shades to suit any taste. Don’t think they’re cool? Neither is a traumatic brain injury.

If you want to ignore the studies and statistics – and the fact that most serious cyclists and all pro riders wear them – fine. But if you love your bike and you love your brain, why wouldn’t you grab a helmet when you grab your bike?

Breakdown service for your bike

All you AAA members out there who also like to cycle, good news: The Florida branch of the auto club has expanded its roadside assistance service to include bicycle breakdowns. Just call them and a technician will pick you up and take you and your bike wherever you want to go… your car, your bike shop or your home. It’s included on all levels of AAA membership, but you do need to be accessible from a road or parking lot – so you off-roaders may be in for a walk. Find out more at aaa.com/bicycle.

If you want bike and auto or just bike-only assistance, that’s also available from Better World Club, which promotes its eco-friendly stance as well as its AAA-comparable services. They offer a lot of bike information as well as insurance, and coverage includes the U.S. and Canada (in case you’re planning a longer bike ride in the future). Details at betterworldclub.com/roadside-assistance/bicycle-roadside-assistance.

Ready to ride or run? Run? Longer races rule this weekend, with the 10K Race 4 FISH on Sanibel Oct. 15 (ftmyerstrackclub.com) and the Rocktoberfest 10 Miler & 2x5 Mile Relay at North Collier Regional Park (eliteevents.org). If you want even more distance, on Oct. 22 there’s the Race The Roof 15K run, 5K run/walk and tot trot at the Verandah Community east of Fort Myers (ftmyerstrackclub.com), and the Gulf to Gulf 80-mile Relay that starts and ends at Cambier Park in downtown Naples, goes through Bonita Springs and Fort Myers Beach, with a turnaround at the Sanibel Causeway (gcrunner.org).

Ride? A temporary gap in the popular Critical Mass rides is being filled on Oct. 23 by the Tour for Epilepsy (15-, 30- and 62-mile rides, starts/ends at Coastline Cyclery, 10676 Colonial Blvd, Unit 50, Fort Myers -- caloosariders.org) and the Tour de North Port (15-, 35- and 65-mile rides plus 25-mile “Gravel Grinders” off-road ride) Info on both at caloosariders.org . The Critical Mass rides return Oct. 28-29, so don’t despair.

# # #

Ken Gooderham writes this on behalf of BikeWalkLee, a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County - streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Information, statistics and background online at www.BikeWalkLee.org.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RIDE:

Have a favorite route you like to bike, or a unique walk you’d like to share with others? Tell us about it at info@bikewalklee.org, and maybe we can feature it in an upcoming column.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

The City of Cape Coral announced today that it has received an $1.8 million FDOT grant to design a multi-use bicycle and pedestrian trail in North Cape Coral along Kismet Parkway. The trail will be part of the Florida SUNTrail, a statewide system of paved multi-use trails for bicyclists and pedestrians, physically separated from vehicular traffic.

The new trail will be a welcome addition to the existing bike/ped facilities in the Cape, in particular for residents of the Northern parts of the city. It will expand the opportunities for safe outdoor exercise and recreation in the area.

The trail will eventually connect Cape Coral to the statewide SUN Trail network of bicycle pedestrian trails, enhancing the city's profile as a tourist destination and its image as a bike/pedestrian friendly community.

BikeWalkLee was an early supporter of SUN Trail and has submitted letters of support. Our annual letter to the Lee Legislative Delegation for the past four years has made bike tourism and the statewide network of bike/ped paths, now called SUN Trail, one of our top priorities. Congratulations to the City of Cape Coral and the volunteers of Cape Coral Bike Ped who have been instrumental in this grant application.

From the 10/12 Cape Coral press release:
‘The City of Cape Coral has received a $1.8 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation for the preliminary engineering and design of a multi-use trail along Kismet Parkway in the north Cape. The Cape's individual trail project was one of 45 projects to receive funding for bicycle and pedestrian trail expansion in Florida through the new Shared Use Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail Program. FDOT awarded $44.4 million in statewide grants in the first year of the program.

"Cape Coral continues to achieve success in obtaining grant funds to help with our goal of expanding bicycle and pedestrian opportunities throughout the city," said Connie Barron, Public Affairs Manager for the City. "This project along Kismet Parkway will provide a signature destination for recreational activity in the north Cape."

The multi-use trail will be on the north side of Kismet Parkway from Del Prado Boulevard west to El Dorado Boulevard, and passing by the City's future Festival Park. The trail will continue on the west side of El Dorado south to Van Buren Parkway, and then on the north side of Van Buren Parkway west to Burnt Store Road. The 12-foot-wide trail spans about seven miles and potentially could include exercise components similar to the linear park along Del Prado Boulevard.

The Cape Coral Bike-Ped group was instrumental in the successful application for grant funding from the SUN Trail Program. The volunteer group continues to work in partnership with the City to advance the goal of developing a bicycle and pedestrian friendly Cape Coral.

Lee Co. segment of SW Coastal Regional Trail

From the 10/11 FDOT press release:

‘All of the selected projects are in the identified SUN Trail network, which consists of the developing statewide system of paved multi-use trails for bicyclists and pedestrians, physically separated from vehicular traffic.

FDOT Secretary Jim Boxold said, “This initial SUN Trail funding will provide safer opportunities for bicyclists and pedestrians, advance the completion of the state trail system and enhance the state’s partnership with local communities throughout Florida.”

Twenty-two of the funded projects help to advance two major regional trails systems selected as priorities by the Florida Greenways and Trails Council. Five of these are part of the Coast to Coast Connector, a 250-mile trail system linking the Gulf and Atlantic coasts through Central Florida, and 17 are part of the St. Johns River Sea Loop, a 270-mile trail system that will link together several communities including St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, Titusville, DeLand and Palatka. 23 projects are for individual trail segments throughout the rest of the state.

The SUN Trail Program was established during the 2015 legislative session. More information about the program can be found at floridasuntrail.com.’

Monday, October 10, 2016

Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events for this week and beyond.

Upcoming events

Running/walking:

Thursday, Oct. 13, Moe’s Corporate Run, a 3-mile run/walk
open to all employees and family of local corporations, businesses,
government offices, and institutions. 6:15 p.m. from Moe's Southwest
Grill, corner of Immokalee Road and U.S. 41, Naples (gcrunner.org)

Friday, Oct 28: Cape Coral Critical Mass ride.
Gathers at 7:30 p.m. at the Farmer's Market Parking Lot, 4706 SE 11th
Place, Cape Coral. Come out and join this fun and growing group of
bikers! This is an 11 mile ride that rolls as a group at a very relaxed
speed of 8-10 mph with a 10 minute break half way through at the Cape
Coral Yacht Club. Lights required, helmets recommended. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL/events/qbmrtlyvnblc/)

Saturday, Oct. 29: SWFL Critical Mass monthly Saturday Morning Slow Roll & training.
Join us for a casual 8-10 mph roll on the last Saturday of every month.
This is a perfect way to learn how to group ride, have a good time and
to make new friends. A very family friendly ride. The ride is 6 miles
long in total. Grab your bike and helmet, come and ride! Meet up 9 a.m.,
roll 9:15. Side lot next to the downtown Publix, 2160 McGregor Blvd,
Fort Myers (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL/events/234076487/)

Ongoing: Join the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club on one of their
many weekly rides for members and potential members, with an array
of paces and routes to choose from. Check them out online at www.caloosariders.org.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

If you care about the bicycling environment but you’re not familiar with Florida Bicycle Association, you should get to know and support them. It is our one and only bicycle advocacy and education organization representing all of Florida and it works tirelessly to be the voice of anyone who rides a bike. FBA’s mission is “to network and share best practices, to educate and advocate, and to build awareness as a unified voice.”

Its vision is “for Florida to be a state where bicycling is safe, respected and encouraged as a means of transportation and recreation.” Efforts to meet its mission and vision range from representing bicyclists in Tallahassee to providing education and awareness programs, and identifying resources and expertise for those working on local, regional and statewide levels.

As the ride season begins this month, FBA will be conducting its annual membership meeting in St. Petersburg on Saturday, Oct. 22.

Riders lined up for a ride in Cape Coral last year. October marks the month that bike events begin in Florida.

The featured speaker is DeWayne Carver, the Florida Department of Transportation’s state complete streets program manager. Mr. Carver had been the state bicycle/pedestrian coordinator, so between the two positions he’s held with FDOT and his private sector transportation planning background, he’ll have plenty of valuable insight to share.

Regional advocacy updates, audience engagement on bicycle laws, infrastructure and education outreach are on the agenda. The event is free to the public.

A week after its annual membership meeting, FBA is partnering with Bike Florida to present the Share the Road Celebration of Cycling 2016 in Gainesville. This two-day event is Oct. 28-29. It includes workshops and the Share the Road annual awards. Programs include discussions by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Active Streets Alliance of Gainesville, Joyride Bicycle Collective of Tallahassee and SUN trail. There will be a demonstration of solar powered in-ground reflectors. The summit if free; the Bike Florida tourism session costs $40, which includes the awards luncheon. For more information, see sharetheroad.org.On Nov. 19, the day before and in conjunction with one of Florida’s best century rides - The Horrible Hundred in Clermont - FBA presents Florida Bicycle Best Practices Workshop. Group riders, bike club members and those who are part of local and regional advocacy organizations should consider attending this workshop.

According to Becky Afonso, FBA’s executive director, “This year we are happy to have Hugh Aaron of Bike Walk Indian River County and Vero Cycling Inc. to lead the discussion of ‘Best practices for working with state and local officials to make your community more bike friendly.’ Mr. Aaron promises to share his own experiences working with local bicycle advisory committees, community traffic safety teams, county commissioners or city councils, local planners, local public works departments and local FDOT district staff. These experiences have helped Indian River County become a League of American Bicyclists Bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community.”

The workshop is free and open to anyone. Those who register in advance will be eligible for a complimentary entry to the Horrible Hundred the following day.

For a full listing of bike rides and tours around Florida and the Southeast U.S., see FBA’s Bicycle Touring Calendar at floridabicycle.org.

In Southwest Florida the first big ride of the season is Coastline Cyclery’s Epilepsy Awareness Rides, 15-, 30-, and 62-mile options, on Sunday, Oct. 23. See www.facebook.com/CoastlineCyclery. ¦

- Dan Moser is a long-time bicycle/pedestrian advocate and traffic
safety professional who cycles, runs and walks regularly for
transportation, recreation and fitness. Contact him at bikepedmoser@gmail.com and 334- 6417.

Thursday, Oct. 13, Moe’s Corporate Run, a 3-mile run/walk open to all employees and family of local corporations, businesses, government offices, and institutions. 6:15 p.m. from Moe's Southwest Grill, corner of Immokalee Road and U.S. 41, Naples (gcrunner.org)

Friday, Oct 28: Cape Coral Critical Mass ride. Gathers at 7:30 p.m. at the Farmer's Market Parking Lot, 4706 SE 11th Place, Cape Coral. Come out and join this fun and growing group of bikers! This is an 11 mile ride that rolls as a group at a very relaxed speed of 8-10 mph with a 10 minute break half way through at the Cape Coral Yacht Club. Lights required, helmets recommended. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL/events/qbmrtlyvnblc/)

Saturday, Oct. 29: SWFL Critical Mass monthly Saturday Morning Slow Roll & training. Join us for a casual 8-10 mph roll on the last Saturday of every month. This is a perfect way to learn how to group ride, have a good time and to make new friends. A very family friendly ride. The ride is 6 miles long in total. Grab your bike and helmet, come and ride! Meet up 9 a.m., roll 9:15. Side lot next to the downtown Publix, 2160 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL/events/234076487/)

Ongoing: Join the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club on one of their many weekly rides for members and potential members, with an array of paces and routes to choose from. Check them out online at www.caloosariders.org.

About BikeWalkLee Blog

This is the official Blog for BikeWalkLee.org. BikeWalkLee is a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County -- streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.